Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1887-03-20

time on the story of Mr.. Scott's life Is
not greatly unlike that of other successful
business men. He married well, which
is great thing in itself. His wife is a
sister to Frank D. Tracy, who was al one
time very prominent in the New
York Stock Exchange, and at the
time of his death President of the Chi
cago, Rock Island and Pacific Rail
road. By the marriage Mr.. Scott got
considerable property, but he also
got something far more valuable, good
helpful wife, and an introduction into the
Stock Exchange. Here he became &C
Qaainted with Samuel j. Ttlden, Mr. Van
derbilt the elder and other wealthy mag
mates of Gotham. They were quick to
recognize his ability as q inancier and
manager, and from this time his upward
progress was rapid. He became inter-
ested ia the manufacture of iron and the
mining of coal, as well as the construc-
ton and operation of railroads. He owns
anthracite mines in his adopted state and
bituminous in West Virginia, and as eth
er president or director, he controls over
90, 900 miles of railroad, probably
the largest number OF miles man
aged by one man in the world. And so
the page who lived in Washington has re-
turned after thirty-fve years absence
quite differently situated Well, l should
say GO. A man of nstionaIreputation, the
largest coal operator in Western Pennsyl-
vania and the Hooking valley, director
10 half dozen railroads, president of
two or three banks and one of the recog-
nized supports of the administration. No
one knows exactly how much he is worth,
and bis friends say that it would nuzzle
Idr. Sect to tell himself. His fortune
has been estimated at Sl5,000,000, and it
would be more apt to exceed that esti-
mate than to fall under II.
Although not himself a society man,
the prospective Secretary has family
that is especially fond of society, and
have both the taste and the wealth to
crafty their fondness to any extent they
please Should Mr.. Scott be called to
the Cabinet, the already bright circle of
ladies who are included in official society,
will receive a delightful addition. The
family occupy the middle house Of the
three tenements built in 1872 by Cover
nor Shepherd, at time when he was in
the zenith OF his power. The house is
teTraCed up from the street, facing Far
ragut square, and when it was first.
erected it was considered the finest priS
vate residence in the city. The front is
finished in white stone, elaDorately
trimmed and set with heavy plate Win
dOws. The corner house, overlooking
Connecticut aVenue-the Fifth avenue of
the capital-was at one time the resi-
dence OF Governor Shepherd, but is now
occupied bY the Russian Minister. The
O her next door neighbOT II the congress-
man is Senator STAFFORD of Ca ifornia, the
richest man in the Senate. It is quite
coincidence that the two WealthIeSt q en-
in either House should live next door to
one another.
At the beginning CT the season the
house was refuTnished and redecorated,
and Mr. SCOTS expressed determination IF
making the finest interior in Washing on,
came very near the mark To the left of
the spacious ball is the richly furnished
p9TlOrS, and Just in the rear of them is
the splendid dining-hgll, finished in oak
and furnished with 6u unsparing hand.
Mr.. Sc tt gives some Cf the best dinners
in Washington, and his chef is a level
Sometimes he supeTintends the prepara-
ton of q dinner himself, and heis counted
one OF the best amateur cocks
among the public men in Washington,
and there are a good many Of them.
Leaving the dining room and crossing the
hall you enter the library, where you will
very likely tnd the lnanCier busy over
his papers and correspondence. He is
man OF few words but of quick action.
As Il business man he drives d close bar
gain and expects the person with whom
ne is dealing to do the same thing, so
they meet on common ground. In mat
tiers of charity he IS liberal but only for
Charity's sake. He never permits charity
10 run his business.
Let Us take look at the men who
turns 70 receive Us. A slender, 1.-the figure
OF medium height. A well poised large
head with gray, deep set eyes, and al al
most gray mUStaChe, setting IF re-
markably strong, clear cut lace. He is
dressed in q loose fitting, square cut sack
coat, that rather bags about bis thin fig
ure. His air is lot the most part pre-
occupied, and mis- conversation with
strangers mOnOsYllabic, but with his
friends he is described as being q most
agreeable and entertaining companion.
During the winter Mrs. Scott did not
appear much in society, being still in
mourning for her two brothers vino died
within a year. Her eldest daughter,
Mrs. Townsend of Philadelphia, whose
husband is a wealthy banker
ard broker of that city, was
the hostess of her fathers princely
house. she was assisted by Mrs. Charles
II. Strong of Erie, the second &Hd only
other child of the millionaire. Mrs.
Strong was greatly missed in Erie, for
she is one of the angels Of mercy among
the poor Of the CRY and never tires of do
ing good. Mrs. Scott is also much loved
in Erie. She is naturally of retiring
disposition, and one Of her particular
friends told me the other day that she
much prefers the old home on Peach
street, in Erie, by no means pretentous
residence, though beautifully furnished
iaad finished.
Among the neOnle of today there are